Persian · noun · Nation, Faith & Society

Shahanshahi

शहंशाही

said sha-han-shaa-hee

also written: Shahanshahi

Meaning

Empire; the rule of a king of kings.

Literally: the state of being shahanshah (emperor)

How Iqbal uses it

The supreme imperial dignity, grander than mere kingship. Iqbal weighs such worldly grandeur against the higher sovereignty of the self that needs no empire.

See it in the verse

Shahanshahi in Iqbal’s couplets

Jab ishq sikhata hai aadab-e-khud-aagahi
Khulte hain ghulamon par asrar-e-shahanshahi

When love teaches the discipline of self-awareness, the secrets of sovereignty open up even to slaves.

Freedom · Self-Knowledge · Awakening

Related words

PERSIAN

Shahanshah

King of kings; emperor.

PERSIAN

Badshahi

Kingship, sovereignty, royal rule or imperial dignity.

ARABIC

Saltanat

Sovereignty, empire, royal dominion or rule.

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